iDrive upgrade on E90 3 series

goopybmw · 08-10-2012, 06:15 AM

Does anyone know when the iDrive was updated in the 3 series from the 4 quarter older style to the newer menu systems?
I'm looking to buy the 2009 3 series upgrade model with LED rear lights, and I can see that all these models have the extra iDrive buttons (NAV, CD etc), but some seem to have the old menu system and others have the new.
Any help would be greatly appreciated....

MattMD · 08-10-2012, 07:02 AM

I am 99% positive it was upgraded in the 2009 LCI. Mine has the new one, thankfully. The old one sucked.

Josh@stick-2-it · 08-10-2012, 08:15 AM

I have the old system in mine, didnt know you could upgrade! Im interested

Otruba_843 · 08-10-2012, 08:20 AM

E90 LCI's have the new one. I dont think they changed it in the 5 series that year though

Pete Schweaty · 08-10-2012, 08:23 AM

2009 was the switch from CCC to CIC. The easiest way to tell is to look at the idrive knob. If it only has the single "menu" button, it is the old style. If it has all of the sub menu buttons then it is the new one.

GetSomeE92 · 08-10-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Schweaty

2009 was the switch from CCC to CIC. The easiest way to tell is to look at the idrive knob. If it only has the single "menu" button, it is the old style. If it has all of the sub menu buttons then it is the new one.

Unless someone changed their center console trim and iDrive knob to the newer style. I've seen that done.

The easiest way to tell is to look at the iDrive menu screen if you aren't sure, but I have a 2009 coupe and have the CIC navigation system.

Bluesnake01 · 08-10-2012, 10:11 AM

All E9X LCI (09+) came with the updated iDrive. 08 and below came with the older version

smallseafishie · 08-10-2012, 10:21 AM

There's a thread here that goes through the step of upgrading the CCC to a CIC. You will need to get the newer screen, the newer CIC unit and the updated idrive controller.

Aside from the HW changes, you will also need to code the car / HW to work with your car. If your car ever needs a SW upgrade from the dealer, you will likely run into issues as it would be a mismatch as it would be expecting a CCC unit instead of the CIC.

Short answer is yes. It's expensive and a little involved.

Is it worth it? I don't think so. I have the old one in my e92 and the new one in my e70. The hdd music is nice. The interface is "prettier". Navigation of both sucks. The hassle to me is not worth the improvements.

Pete Schweaty · 08-10-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3thirtyfizzo

Well can the old systems get upgraded?

Yes. There are a few vendors here that offer the parts. It is pricey though.

goopybmw · 04-25-2013, 08:57 PM

So to followup on this... I did buy a 2009 E90 LCI. It has the new style controller (with multiple direct buttons to CD, Radio etc) but has the old style 4 quarter screen. Its CCC so still uses a DVD. In 2010 the screen changed and it became a CIC.
Can't be upgraded....

VTECaddict · 04-25-2013, 09:48 PM

Must be different for overseas models, but in North America the changeover to the new iDrive happened with the 2009 model year.

08-10-2012, 06:15 AM	#1
goopybmw New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW E90 320i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Melbourne, Aus iTrader: (0)	iDrive upgrade on E90 3 series Does anyone know when the iDrive was updated in the 3 series from the 4 quarter older style to the newer menu systems? I'm looking to buy the 2009 3 series upgrade model with LED rear lights, and I can see that all these models have the extra iDrive buttons (NAV, CD etc), but some seem to have the old menu system and others have the new. Any help would be greatly appreciated....
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08-10-2012, 07:02 AM	#2
MattMD E9X > Everything 60 Rep 742 Posts Drives: '22 Corvette Z51 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	I am 99% positive it was upgraded in the 2009 LCI. Mine has the new one, thankfully. The old one sucked.
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08-10-2012, 08:15 AM	#3
Josh@stick-2-it New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: stourbridge west midlands iTrader: (0)	I have the old system in mine, didnt know you could upgrade! Im interested
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08-10-2012, 08:20 AM	#4
Otruba_843 Lieutenant Colonel 93 Rep 1,509 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Egg Harbor - Athens iTrader: (0)	E90 LCI's have the new one. I dont think they changed it in the 5 series that year though __________________ 2009 E90 328i Monaco Blue premium/idrive/convience/logic-7/cold weather/ xenons/ saddle brown interior
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08-10-2012, 08:23 AM	#5
Pete Schweaty Captain 39 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2014 750li Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	2009 was the switch from CCC to CIC. The easiest way to tell is to look at the idrive knob. If it only has the single "menu" button, it is the old style. If it has all of the sub menu buttons then it is the new one.
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08-10-2012, 10:11 AM	#7
Bluesnake01 Private First Class 4 Rep 194 Posts Drives: 09 335i Sedan, 6AT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	All E9X LCI (09+) came with the updated iDrive. 08 and below came with the older version __________________ 2009 BMW 335i Jet Black - BMS Dual Cones, GP Thunder 7500k Fog's, Hellst XRT H8 AE, JB4 G5 ISO Map 5 - 2001 Cobra True Blue - Terminator Swap, 460WHP -
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08-10-2012, 10:21 AM	#8
smallseafishie Colonel 110 Rep 2,017 Posts Drives: AW 07 e92 335i + AW 11 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Atlanta GA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00]	There's a thread here that goes through the step of upgrading the CCC to a CIC. You will need to get the newer screen, the newer CIC unit and the updated idrive controller. Aside from the HW changes, you will also need to code the car / HW to work with your car. If your car ever needs a SW upgrade from the dealer, you will likely run into issues as it would be a mismatch as it would be expecting a CCC unit instead of the CIC. Short answer is yes. It's expensive and a little involved. Is it worth it? I don't think so. I have the old one in my e92 and the new one in my e70. The hdd music is nice. The interface is "prettier". Navigation of both sucks. The hassle to me is not worth the improvements.
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04-25-2013, 08:57 PM	#10
goopybmw New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: BMW E90 320i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Melbourne, Aus iTrader: (0)	So to followup on this... I did buy a 2009 E90 LCI. It has the new style controller (with multiple direct buttons to CD, Radio etc) but has the old style 4 quarter screen. Its CCC so still uses a DVD. In 2010 the screen changed and it became a CIC. Can't be upgraded....
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04-25-2013, 09:48 PM	#11
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	Must be different for overseas models, but in North America the changeover to the new iDrive happened with the 2009 model year. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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